The court proceedings began again after the recess. The standing, drills, and questioning were exhausting for Sheena. She was beginning to feel claustrophobic in the dock. It felt as though the dock was squeezing her and slowly sipping the life out of her.She wanted to get it done and over with; a quick death, not this slow, painful, agonizing death that she was made to go through. She had resigned herself to doom. The case was not going in her favor.However, she had to admit that in the short time that Damian had taken over, he had tried to get her out of the situation way better than James ever did. But it didn't change much. The verdict was still going to be the same; her death, and she was prepared for it.'I'd like to call a witness to the stand.' Sheena heard Damian announce from the deep recess of her mind, his voice brought her back to reality, back to the present. She darted her eyes around the courtroom, wondering what Damian had up his sleeves.The opposing counsel had i
'Sheena!' Elena screamed and rushed over to the dock where Sheena lay sprawled on.Elena's scream got everyone's attention, and they all had their eyes following her half-sprint till she came to a halt, bent, and gathered the limp Sheena into her arms, unable to control her sobs.Jake jerked his head to the dock just as Elena screamed out her sister's name. He kept his eyes peeled on the dock, worry etched in his eyes. He was unfeeling to the tightening around his wrist as the warden cuffed them, bounding him in chains.His mind, heart, and being yearned for the safety of the woman cradled in Elena's hands. His head twisted as the warden took him away in shackles until his neck reached its maximum stretch and he could no longer see Sheena.He prayed and hoped that she would be fine. As he was dragged away, his eyes met with Oscar's.'What are you doing man?' It sounded more like a plea than a question. Jake averted his eyes and walked past his best friend unable to satisfy his curious
Sheena sat on the gurney in the hospital room waiting for her sister. Both hands pressed down beside her, head bent as she watched her legs disappear and reappear underneath the gurney as she swung them repeatedly.Her cell phone on the table beside the bed rang loudly, stopping her momentary playfulness. She picked up the phone in an instant, hoping it was her sister calling.'Hello!' She answered breathlessly into the phone.'Hello, Sheena ma'am. Are you alright?' Maria asked as she sensed the exigence in Sheena's voice.'Oh Maria.' Sheena acknowledged, recognizing the voice. 'I'm fine. I was expecting it to be my sister.' She explained.'I'm sorry -''It's fine Maria. How are you? Sheena cut her.'I'm fine. I was just calling to check on you. I heard you were still at the hospital.''Oh yeah, but I'll be leaving today.''That's great news. I guess we'll be seeing you soon.'She wanted to tell the older woman that she had no plans to ever return to that house. Instead, Sheena smiled
'That's ridiculous! How could I marry you?'Sheena couldn't believe her hearing. "Was this man crazy?" She thought. He knew she had just lost her husband and he also just confirmed that he knew she was having an affair with Jake. Why did he come up with this absurdity?Damian remained unfazed. His gaze on her didn't flinch a bit and she saw the seriousness in his eyes.She gazed at him with horror-filled eyes and shook her head at him. 'You are crazy!' She declared as she took fearful steps away from him.'Yes! I am crazy! I'm crazy about you! I've been crazy about you! You were supposed to be mine! I saw you first! Not the old bastard nor his bastard son! Me! I saw you first! You were mine!' Damian exploded in anger. His jaw tightened as he heaved heavily, his nose twitching and his eyes a blood-red color.Sheena became filled with dread. What was he talking about? What did he mean? 'What are you talking about?' She managed to ask in a shaky voice, her hands resting on the small tab
'Where the hell are you? I was at the hospital and I was told you left already. Where did you go?' Elena was screaming over the phone. She was fuming, angry at Sheena. It was anger that stemmed from concern for her sister.'I'm at the Rollins house.' Sheena replied weakly.'What! You went back there! Are you crazy? After everything they did to you? And'- she hushed her voice into a whisper - 'what about your, you know, the baby? What if they found out? Why did you go back there?' The disbelief mixed with anger in Elena's voice was in no way subtle.'I had to.' Sheena responded curtly.'I don't understand, what were you-''Why didn't you tell me about dad?' The accusation in Sheena's tone doused the vexation in Elena. Her anger was immediately replaced with shock.'How did you know? Who told you?''Is that what's most important now?' Sheena's tone was reprimanding.'I didn't tell you because you were battling with your health too. I didn't want your finding out to deteriorate your heal
'What are you talking about?' Mirabel asked with a mix of confusion and irritation.'And what is this witch doing here? You've returned to kill the rest of us like you did my father? Damian, why did you bring her here with you?' Mirabel could hardly hold her tongue.'Enough!' Damian ordered with an authority that seemed to tie Mirabel's tongue, leaving her immersed in a jaw-dropping shock.'I will not have you speak to my wife in that manner!' He declared.Mirabel squinted her eyes, frantically trying to understand Damian's words. Her hands dropped limply by her side and she seemed to be lost in a cloud of confusion as she stared at the new wedding band visible on Sheena's finger. Shamefully, Sheena hid her hand behind her.'What do you mean?' Mirabel asked as she darted her eyes between the two of them.'Did you happen to lose your hearing?' Damian insulted.'What's happening here?' Michelle's voice resonated from the foot of the stairs. Her head raised staring at the trio.They turn
Michelle could no longer tolerate Damian's repeated shades thrown at her. She stood up defiantly from her seat and challenged him.'How dare you talk to me like that! Did you forget your place?' Michelle was heaving in anger and Sheena could not help but shake her head at the girl. Mirabel obviously still didn't know what was coming at her.Damian had assumed a calm demeanor. He relaxed into the sofa, raised his legs onto the small center table, and crossed them. He spread out his arm behind the sofa comfortably before speaking to Michelle.'I know my place. The question is, do you know your place?' Damian raised a questioning brow at her.'Are you two going to just sit there and not say anything? Are we going to watch him speak to us like this?' Michelle was now talking to Mirabel and her husband, Shawn.Sheena could see the tiredness on Mirabel's face. Shawn felt the same way as his wife. He held her hand, silently encouraging her.Mirabel slowly turned her head to her husband and t
TWO YEARS LATERThe jingling of keys, the clanging of metals. Oscar turned away from the gloomy wall he was fixated on to face the door where these sounds were coming from.As he expected, the doors opened and his eyes first met with the swollen sore legs clasped tightly with chains.Oscar's eyes traveled up the length of the wounded legs to the torn blood stained white singlet and rested on the battered face of a man. It took more seconds than supposed before his eyes shone with recognition.Oscar's eyes widened with disbelief. He closed his eyes and shook his head to clear his vision. Sadly, he opened his eyes to the same sight.Oscar felt his heart tighten, his shoulders slumped and his head drooped. His whole being ached. His heart bled. He didn't want to believe he was looking at his best friend, Jake.'Jake?' He had to ask. He needed to confirm he was with the right person even though he already knew. He just didn't want to believe the sight before him.Oscar's call was returned